A newer version of Max is available. Click here to access the latest version of the documentation

universal Reference

Send messages to all objects of the same type

universal

Description

Sends a input message to all instances of the same class of object in a patcher. The order in which the messages arrive is not defined.

Examples

Send a message to all objects of the same class at once

Arguments

mode [int]

Optional

If a 1 is present as an argument, universal will send messages it receives to objects of the specified class in subpatchers of its patcher as well as in the patcher containing the universal object.

Attributes

descend [int] (default: 0)

If descend is set to 1, universal will send messages it receives to objects of the specified class in subpatchers of its patcher as well as in the patcher containing the universal object.

Common Box Attributes

annotation [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background [int] (default: 0)

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface [int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname [symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize [float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile [symbol]

JS Painter File

patching_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 100. 0.)

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation [int] (default: 0)

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 0. 0.)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect [4 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification [int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname [symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.

Messages

bang

Sends a bang to all instances of the same class of object within the patcher.

int

Arguments

input [int]
Sends an int to all instances of the same class of object within the patcher.

float

Arguments

input [float]
Sends a float to all instances of the same class of object within the patcher.

list

Arguments

input [list]
Sends a list to all instances of the same class of object within the patcher.

anything

Arguments

input [list]
Sends the message after the word anything to all instances of any object that it can be applied to within the patcher.

send

Arguments

input [list]
To send messages to certain objects whose class names are also reserved Max message names (such as int and float), you need to start the message with the send message. send can be used with any class.

Input

The universal object expects as input a symbol that names an object class (for example, table or dspstate~), followed by a message selector and any number of arguments for that message. The message and its arguments (if any) are sent to all instances of the class within the same patcher (and possibly its subpatchers).

Output

The object has no outlets, but objects receiving the message(s) it sends may have some form of output from their outlets. However, the order in which the message is sent to various objects is not guaranteed. This is also true when using the send and receive objects.

See Also

Name Description
forward Send messages to specified receive objects
receive Receive messages without patch cords
send Send messages without patch cords
value Share data between other value objects